by soulOfLanka | Feb 25, 2024 | Culture, Regions in SL
The Degaldoruwa Temple was built in 1771 AD by King Rajadi Rajasinha and was initiated during the rein of his elder brother King Kirti Sri Rajasinha [1747-1782 AD].This is considered as a Cave Temple with Kandyan era Paintings and Architecture.
Called locally as Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya, this temple is situated at Amunugama, a village near Kandy Town.The easiest way It can be reached from Kandy is via the roadway over Lewella Bridge or by proceeding along Kundasale road and turning left at Nattarampota.
The temple had been built at a place where two rocks were touching each other from above and below.The rock mass has a height of about 40 feet. A Cave had been made by breaking the rocks large enough to accomodate the Shrine Room of the Buddha and an area leading to the Shrine Room.
The paintings at the temple were the work of four painters. These paintings are recognized as some of the best examples of the Kandyan era paintings. Four ” Jathaka Stories ” are drawn at this cave temple of which one is the famous Vessantara Jathaka story.
In the Shrine Room ceiling, which is a rock surface, is also painted the scene of the Lord Buddha and the Mara and his forces. There is also a painting of Mahi Kantawa or the Earth Godess on the ceiling.
There is a Bo tree and a Stupa at a terrace above the summit of Rock Temple and a path with carved steps on the rock from the lower terrace and then an ascend of a pathway leading to Bo Tree and Stupa area.
The Degaldoruwa Tamba Sannasa or the Copper Plate Grant of King Rajadi Rajasinha describes the construction details of the temple
by soulOfLanka | Feb 24, 2024 | Family Travel, Nature, Regions in SL
Udawattekelle Sanctuary – Forest Reserve
The forest reserve on the hillside behind the Tooth Relic Temple called as “Udawattekelle” or the Royal Forest Park. During the Kandyan Kingdom era, Udawattekelle was called as “Uda wasala Watte” meaning as the Upper Palace Garden and used as the pleasure garden for the Royal Family.
This forest played the role of a green belt to provide security to the Kandyan Kingdom during the Kandyan era. This evergreen tropical wet forest is in an extent of 257 acres. During the Kandyan kingdom era, it was prohibited to the public and also known as Tahanchchi kelle “forbidden forest”.
Since the downfall of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, the forest reserve started to lose its forest size and the pristine condition due to deforestation for timber and other human activities. The government in 1856 declared it as a forest reserve and in 1938 made it a sanctuary. Now it is opened to tourists, schoolchildren, researchers, bird watchers and for local visitors.
The sanctuary is famous for its avifauna. Variety of plant species, lianas, shrubs and small trees. There are several giant lianas. Many of small and medium size mammals living here. Several kinds of snakes and other reptiles seen here.
In a survey done in the year 2013,some information about fauna, the research identified that there are 58 indigenous tree species (7 endemic), 61 indigenous shrubs and small tree species (7 endemic)31 endemic herbs (3 endemic) of which 12 are orchids,57 indigenous lianas, creepers and vines (4 endemic).
Little bit information about fauna, Udawatte Kelle is famous for bird watching and there are about 80 bird species in the sanctuary and there are some endemic bird species like Layard’s parakeet, Yellow – fronted barbet, brown – capped babbler and Sri Lankan hanging parrot with some other rare birds can be seen here.
Also mammals like “torque macaque”, “golden palm civet”, mouse deer, slender loris, dusky palm squirrel,Indian muntjac, Indian boar,porcupines, ruddy mongoose,great false vampire bats and reptiles and amphibians like common hump – nose pit viper, green vine snake, green pit viper, Sri Lankan cat snake, cobras, forest lizards, Sri Lankan Kangaroo lizard, Whistling Lizard many skinks like, geckos, frogs, and toads, butterflies, Sri Lnkan ornamental tarantula, fireflies, beetles bees and wasps endemic and snails.
Other Information:
Opening Hours: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
Telephone number: +94 81 223 2873
by soulOfLanka | Feb 24, 2024 | Culture, Must Do, Regions in SL
About The Sri Dalada Maligawa
The Most venerated temple in the Island of Sri Lanka for honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Sacred Tooth, which is Buddha has left canine brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsiri Megawanna (301-328 B.C) by Prince Danta and Princes Hemamala from the Kingdom of Kalinga, India. Since then it was protected and kept inside a shrine in the royal palace and honoured as palladium of Kings. The possessor of the relic believed to have the right to rule the country. The relic was shifted wherever the kingdom shifted, from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte, Gampola and finally Kandy. After the signing of the Kandyan convention in 1815 to date the Tooth Relic was under the custodian of the chief monks of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and Lay custodian is the Diyawadana Nilame (designated official).
Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Tooth relic) which today houses the Tooth Relic is a world Heritage site and a large number of local and foreign visitors visit every day.
Maligawa Complex
New Wahalakada (New Gateway)
Wahalkada or Wasalkada was and entrance (gateway) to a special premises ( eg: Palace, Temple). The Temple of the Tooth Relic had two of them, Maha (main) Wahalkada (gateway) and Nawa (New) Wahalkada( gateway). The Nawa Wahalkada has been constructed in the recent times. Nawa Wahalkada is situated when you enter the Temple from the Centre of the Kandy city in front of the famous Queens Hotel. This gateway is constructed accordance to the Kadyan architectural features.
Maha Maluwa (Great Compund)
Entering through the Nawa Wahalkada, you could enter the great Compound or Maha Maluwa.This great compound has been used to fulfil three purposes.
- As a waiting place for the common masses to submit their grievances, complaints before the King.
- As a place of displaying local martial arts like Angampora before the King.
- As a place of viewing the Perahara mangallaya (Perahara festival)
When you are proceeding towards the temple, you could see few statues of outstanding personalities. Naming them Rt. Hon. D S Senanayake (First Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka), Weera Madduma Bandara the child hero, monument of Weera Keppetipola Maha Adikaram Dissawe, who led the first fight of liberation of Sri Lanka in the 1818, Statue of Venerable Wariyapola sri Sumangala Thero, who put down the British flag which was hoisted before the scheduled time after signing the 1815 agreement, Statue of Prince Danta and Princess Hemamla who brought the sacred Tooth relic to Sri Lanka.
The Moon Stone ( Sandakadapahana)
Before entering the main gateway of the Tooth Temple, will find a moonstone in front of the main gateway. This moonstone is different from the ancient moonstone in Anuradhapura. This moonstone is a triangular shaped one and has removed the cattle due to Hindu influence and added to these creepers, two figures of mythical fish or Makara, two sprigs of flowers spread from the mouth of the two fish, at the middle is a lotus in full bloom. The ancient moonstone was destroyed in 25th January 1998 by bomb blast and replaced with the one lying at the main gateway.
Maha Wahalkada or the main Gateway.
This is the main entrance to the Tooth Temple or Maligawa. The maha wahalkada has been built on four main columns and there are four arches in the four main directions. The either sides of the walls carved with Elephants and Mahouts. The maha wahalkada has been a common gateway to the temple of Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) and to the Royal Palace (Maha wasala).
The Moat
The King Sri Wickramarajasinghe built this moat running from the Dalada Maligawa up to Vishnu devalaya filled with water from the nuwarawewa (Kandy Lake) done for the protection and beauty of the temple tooth. The outer wall of the moat has been built to the shape floating clouds, the upper part access has been provided for keeping lighted clay lamps and the wall take the shape of the waves of the Sea.
Makara Thorana
Makara Thorana ( Pandal made out of a mythical fish shape) could be seen at the entrance to the Ambarawa (Tunnel) to Dalada Maligawa main premises. A doorframe made out of stone. This doorframe is nicely decorated with figures of gatekeepers, petals of leaves and creepers, moving swans and some mythical fish. In front this pandal , a Kandyan period moonstone is visible.
Ambarawa (Tunnel)
Through the Makra Thorana ( Pandal) you will enter the Tunnel to the main Temple premises. The length of the tunnel 29 feet and attractively decorated with Kandyan style paintings done in the recent past. This is the entrance to the Hevisi Mandapaya (Drummers Platform).
Hevisi Mandapaya (Drummers Platform)
When proceeding through the Ambarawa one could reach the Hevisi Mandapaya or the drummers platform. During the Thevawa ( great offering) Hevisi Pooja or offering of Hevisi (sound of five kind of musical instruments) done here.
Vada Sitina Maligawa (Chamber of the Tooth Relic)
In front of the Hevisi Mandapaya is the ancient Vadasitina Maligawa (Chamber of the Tooth Relic).
It had two storeys naming upper and lower storey. In the lower storey antiques, curios and stuff carried during the Perahara ( Processon) are kept here. This was named as “ Maha aramulada” or store room. Entering this chamber are only for the Mahasanga (Buddhist Priests) and assisting staff to the Thevava for special guests.
Ghandhakuti or Chamber where the Sacred Tooth Relic placed.
Ghandhakuti the chamber or the incensed house where the Sacred Tooth Relic has been placed. The Tooth Relic is covered by seven caskets and held under the custody of the two Mahanayake Theros (The chief Priest of Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters) and the Lay custodian the Diyawadana Nilame.
The Dagaba of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
When ascending to the left of the Hevisi Mandapaya a small Dagaba could be seen. Some believe that the Sacred Bowl Relic had been placed inside this Dagaba but there is another thought or most accepted view is that valuable items which was offered to the temple is kept inside this Dagaba.
Image House in Pallemala
This image house is attractive with the outstanding paintings in the walls and in the ceiling. There is a big Golden colour Buddha statute and a small crystal Buddha statute place in a beautiful box or Manjusa was well known as the one used to bring the sacred tooth Relic from Delgamuwa Temple to the Dalada Maligawa. This Image house, Paththirippuwa and the Wedasitina Maligawa are open only during the Thevava (great offering) time.
Paththirippuwa (Octagon)
Paththirippuwa a masterpiece of the Kandyan architecture built in 1802 under the instructions of the last King of Kandyan Kingdom King Sri wickrama Rajasinghe. The name Paththirippuwa derived from Tamil language meant as the place of bending and looking down. The King used this place for four main objectives, to spend his leisure time, to watch traditional wresting called Angampora, to listen to the grievances of the common masses and to watch how the Perahara Mangallaya was organised. Paththirippuwa now used as a library, among the books written on Ola leaves are had been preserved, an ola leaves book written in the time of the Kurunegala Kingdom containing of 1600 pages is conserved and protected here.
The New Shrine House.
The three story building of the Image house constructed in 1937, are placed with many Buddha statues gifted from many other countries are kept here. There are paintings around the walls and the most famous one is the painting, which depicts Buddha’s birth to present day Tooth Relic.
This hall is equipped with requirements to offer alms giving for hundred Bhikkus at once. This shrine room is used for holding special Dhamma sermons and Pirith Chanting. Devotees can leisurely worship from here.
Magulmaduwa or Mahanaduwa (Royal Assembly Hall)
Famous Devendra Moolachrya who constructed the Paththirippuwa (Octagon) had constructed the Magulmaduwa or the Mahanaduwa according to the woodcarving and sculpture of the Kandyan architecture. Originally, there were 48 wooden columns with pillar caps (Pekada)
And in 1875 it was extended by the British rulers with another 16 columns which were removed from the Pallewahala (Lower Palace) and the number of columns at present is 64 in number.
This is also called as Mahanaduwa or the highest court during the Kandyan kingdom period. King used the place as his courts, to meet special guests and state officials. In 1815, the Sinhala and British agreement signed in this historic building.
by soulOfLanka | Feb 19, 2024 | All Categories, Entertainment
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